Rugby-McKinley makes history as Italy stop rot against Fiji

(Refiles to fix lit in first par)

Nov 11 (Reuters) - Italy ended a nine-match losing streak with a hard-fought 19-10 victory over Fiji in Catania on Saturday as their Irish-born flyhalf, Ian McKinley, became the first man to play in international rugby in specially manufactured goggles.

The 27-year-old lost the sight in his left eye in an on-pitch incident seven years ago but recovered to return to the game and qualify for Italy through residency after joining Italian side Benetton.

McKinley came off the bench as a 61st-minute replacement for Carlo Canna and kicked a penalty to help edge Italy to victory. Canna had earlier struck three penalties and converted Simone Ferrari's early try.

The visitors, for whom Ben Volavola kicked a penalty, went in level at 10-10 at halftime through Leone Nakarawa's converted try, but Conor O'Shea's side edged ahead after the interval to avenge their summer defeat by the Fijians. (Reporting by Neil Robinson,; Editing by Neville Dalton)